Heavy Duty Joystick Grip Ball Head (322RC2)

The 322RC2 Ball Head and rapid connect plate, used in combination with a decent set of tripod legs (for example, Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB) are a profound step up from the all-in-one tripods you may be used to. Even more importantly, they are a step up from most other ball heads by virtue of the immense improvement in both speed and ease of aiming your camera once actually mounted to the ball head. I can't emphasize this enough: This product actually changes how you use your camera, because repositioning the camera on all axis at once is a one hand, fraction of a second operation. I know that's hard to visualize, so let me describe the process. The head has a handle sticking out the side, quite substantial and comfortable, that fits in your hand (right or left, your choice.) On this handle is a very large "trigger" that fits beneath all of your fingers as they wrap around the handle. When you pull this trigger, the ball head releases your camera and you can move it, using the handle as a precise and ergonomic lever, to any new position you like in no more time than it takes to adjust your wrist and arm - essentially immediately. Then you simply let go of the trigger and the ball head locks the camera right where you have it pointed. The process I just described applies equally to large pans and tilts as it does to tiny pointing adjustments. If you find that difficult to believe, I'm with you - so did I - but having used the head extensively, trust me, it really works as advertised. There is almost no post-lock sag; that's the effect where you point the camera, tighten the locks, and then when you look, the camera has drooped below the actual point of aim you intended. There is a tiny bit; I don't think it will affect most users. For example, I often shoot images of the moon using a 500mm or 600mm lens. My camera, an EOS 40D, has a "live view" mode that allows me to magnify the center of the view until the LCD screen has a 1:1 group of pixels from the center of the 10 megapixel sensor, effectively magnifying the view many times. With this on, I can see only a fraction of the day/night terminator on the moon, and can watch the moon move steadily and visibly across my point of aim. With this ball head, when I point the camera in this state, letting go of the trigger results in "droop" that amounts to about 10% of the view height, which is perhaps a 2% droop of the total image height. I know that when I fire the shot, I'm going to find my original aiming point pretty much dead center in the photo, which of course is what we're all looking for. Without the live view magnification on, there is no visible droop at all. The quick release plate functions very well. There is a safety catch that must be released in order to remove your camera; with it set correctly, the camera can be removed with one easy flip of a lever. With it in the safety position, you can't remove the camera. Once the camera has been removed, the camera locking lever is in the unlocked position; a really nice feature is that when you put the camera back on the head, there is a brass pressure-trigger that automatically snaps the locking lever (but not the safety) into place as you put the quick-release plate into the mounted position. The camera goes from off-head to on-head in a one-handed motion that involves no more than accurately reaching for the head and turning your wrist, then "click", and the camera is secure. Now turn the safety catch, and no worries about accidentally popping the camera off the head. Another nice feature on the quick release plate is the mounting system to the camera provides for a drop-down handle to tighten and release the screw that goes into the camera body. There will be no searching for coins or tearing up your fingernails with this design. That 11 pound capacity means that for almost any reasonable lens combination, this head has considerably more capacity than it requires to hold your SLR or DSLR with great authority. This extra capacity translates into great stability for lighter loads; my 40D and a Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens together weigh just a few pounds, and the head and tripod have what feels like a "death-grip" on them, the stability is so evident. No trembling in the wind (and I live on the plains in eastern Montana... I shoot in 10 to 30 mph winds as often as not), no tweaking of the aim as I fiddle with the many controls on the camera, no drooping when I reach out and manually focus the camera. Just a wonderfully stable and usable design. The head has its own ball level you can use, and it is very easy to see while aiming using the trigger, but of course if you're looking at the level, you're not looking at what the camera sees; I never had a great deal of use for such things. If your camera can provide horizontal and/or vertical guides in-picture, that's a better choice for framing things by a long shot. Still, the level is there if you need it. The tripod legs I mention above also have their own level, and I *do* tend to use that when I set the legs up. The reason for that is if the tripod is vertical and you have the legs all the way out, you've made certain that the weight of the head and the ball are centered above the tripod's feet, and so the odds of overbalancing the system are much lower. So just a word to the wise, always level your tripod, and don't fret too much about the head. The head has a tension control that you can set to a lighter grip on the ball if your gear isn't as heavy as the weight limit for the head. However, I suggest this is left in the maximum tension position; the reason for that is that the firmer the lock to the ball, the less droop you get in aiming, and the less vibration you'll get when adjusting things like your lenses focus ring or other camera controls. There is a threaded mount-point for an accessory that holds your camera's remote shutter release; the idea of this is to move the camera shutter control right down by the same hand that is adjusting the camera. That's one way to do it; another is to set the head up for left-handed use and keep your right hand on the camera. Given the choice, I go for the latter because there is a lot more to do than just control the shutter these days; we have exposure lock, focus lock, and various knobs and wheels affecting other settings as well. But you do have the choice, and this shows that the manufacturer was thinking about how we might actually use the head, not just about how to hold a camera tightly. The head will adjust upwards until the handle is pointed directly up and away from your tripod; this makes the tripod easier to pack, but adds about eight inches to the tripod's collapsed length. Keep that in mind if you're thinking about a companion bag for the system. Unmounting the head is a simple matter of twisting it about and it will unscrew from the tripod in a reasonable number of turns - not a problem at all. Detached, the head fits in large camera bags without too much difficulty; I use a Tamrac 5612 Pro 12 bag, and the head slips into one of the full-height compartments just fine. Don't expect to fit the head into a purse-sized bag, that's just not going to happen. Bogen Manfrotto provide a good warranty, but I don't expect you'll ever get to use it. You'll see why when you get this thing in your hand. It is built tough. Really, really tough. Photo pros are fond of making very sweeping statements about tripods and heads in general; one you hear constantly is that a good tripod system is worth more than a new lens in many situations. Let me echo that sentiment here, and let me say that because of the amazing convenience and speed that the triggered ball release provides, taken together with the great stability and lack of droop the high-load magnesium ball lock brings to your tripod system, I give the 322RC2 my absolute highest recommendation. I can't see how it could be improved. It is built like a battleship and I can't see how you could damage it barring running over it with a bulldozer. It has *significantly* increased my enjoyment of my camera and if it were to be stolen or lost, I would replace it instantly without even bothering to research what other heads might be available. It is really that good. As far as I'm concerned, there's no way to go wrong recommending the purchase of this head, and that goes for those who already have considerably more expensive heads, too. It isn't often that something comes along that significantly and broadly improves the actual way we take pictures. Try this gem; I just know you're going to like it.

I have owned multiple Bogen-Manfrotto products, including other heads, monopods, and tripods. I wanted a head that would be easy and quick to adjust, especially while shooting events. I hestitated buying this head after some of the reviews commented on how it was difficult to grip the handle, but I did not find that to be the case. It is very sturdy and you cannot knock the head out of place. Since it is so sturdy, it does have a tight grip to it. However, I never had an issue getting it adjusted. You can also adjust the friction of the grip/handle to make it easier to release. As with all other Bogen-Manfrotto products, I found this one to be built to high standards. Their gear is top notch. I have used this head on top of both my monopod and tripod holding my 70-200mm lens that is about 3-4 pounds. No problems at all. It was awesome to be able to quickly adjust between horizontal and vertical shots in just seconds. You can't beat that when you are shooting an event. I was shooting a hot air balloon glow and this head was a lifesaver. I could quickly move about and adjust the head in every direction. My only complaint would be the level. It has one level to view for all angles. I would prefer a level for vertical, horizontal, etc. Some of my shots were a bit off level, but the positives of this product far outweighed that one negative. I highly recommend this product.

I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer who recently upgraded from a cheapie tripod to a professional setup with a Nikon D90, Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and several lenses, including a huge 150-500 - Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (also highly recommended by the way). I am using this head on a Manfrotto Tripod, Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod , and the combination is just excellent in every way I can think of. I'm very happy with the combination. Other reviewers have covered the features very thoroughly, I see no point in repeating what they have said. Suffice to say that it's solid, well-engineered, easy to use, and stable without being too heavy to lug around. The head itself has great tension adjustability and the bubble level is handy and accurate. Be careful to read the directions before you put your camera into the head for the first time, because the locking latch needs to be opened prior to pulling the lever back. It's very secure. I just used this setup with a wide angle lens to take some indoor photos without flash for an industrial brochure. The results were excellent and confirmed my opinion that this was the right purchase for my needs, and I believe for any serious photographer. Clever touches abound. I have now taken to leaving the rapid connect plate on my camera full time. I recommend getting a wireless remote for your camera to go along with this purchase, so that you can take vibration-free photos easily. The one for my Nikon was extremely cheap and works great - Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Cameras . Overall, I can't say enough good things about my Manfrotto tripod and head. If you can afford it, go for it.

Very hard to fine tune angles

Kurz das Wichtigste: Positiv + Qualität + Rasche Einstellung (Neigung für alle Richtungen mit einem Joystick einstellbar) + Stabilität (hält nach Auslassen des Arretierhebels bombenfest, da wackelt nichts mehr) + Flexibilität (als Links- oder Rechtshänder, sowie als Joystick verwendbar) + Sicherung für Schnellwechsler (kein irrtümliches Öffnen möglich) Negativ - Gewicht (liegt daran dass es fast komplett aus Metall gefertigt ist, was allerdings der Stabilität zugute kommt) - trotz leichtester Friktionseinstellung noch etwas schwergängig (nicht wirklich ein Problem) --- Nachdem bei meinem alten Stativ ein Kunstoffteil abgebrochen war und so die Stabilität nicht mehr gegeben war, entschloss ich mich, dieses Mal etwas mehr Geld für das neue Stativ auszugeben. Dabei bin ich auf die Kombination Manfroto 190XPROB Stativ und 804RC2 Neiger sowie 322RC2 Kugelkopf gestoßen. Diese Rezension bezieht sich ausschließlich auf den Kugelkopf. Den Kugelkopf hab ich deshalb zusätzlich gewählt, damit ich dort wo weniger Präzision notwendig ist rasche Einstellungen vornehmen kann. Und das Einstellen der Neigung geht mit Hilfe des Joysticks tatsächlich blitzschnell und war für meine Anwendungen (Landschafts-, Architekturfotografie, Available Light, HDR) bis jetzt immer präzise genug. Ich verwende meistens eine Canon EOS 300D mit 18-55mm Objektiv mit leichtester Friktionseinstellung am Kugelkopf. Ich habe ihn auch kurz mit einem schweren Teleobjektiv getestet (hatte noch nicht die Zeit ihn länger mit Tele zu testen). Dabei hatte ich auch keine Probleme, dass nach dem Einstellen der Neigung irgendetwas verrutscht ist. Musste nicht einmal die Friktion härter einstellen. Habe aber auch das Gefühl, dass trotz leichtester Friktionseinstellung das Ganze noch etwas schwergängig ist. Was mir sonst noch gefallen hat war, dass es für den Schnellwechsler einen kleinen Sicherungshebel gibt, den man vor dem Öffnen umlegen muss. So kann es nicht vorkommen, dass die Kamera wegen irrtümlich geöffnetem Schnellwechsler herunterfällt. Praktisch ist außerdem noch, dass man den Kugelkopf sowohl rechts- als auch linkshändig und vertikal als Joystick verwenden kann. Hierfür muss man den Schnellwechseladapter abschrauben und kann ihn dann an eben diesen drei verschiedenen Positionen wieder anschrauben. Das hab ich allerdings selbst noch nicht getestet, da ich ihn lieber rechtshändig benutze. Wurde der Kugelkopf länger nicht verwendet, kann er beim Neigen anfangs etwas ruckeln. Das gibt sich wieder, wenn man ihn so lange hin- und herbewegt, bis er wieder gut geschmiert ist.

Ottima testa, pratica e comodissima, precisa. Da acquistare se si vuole una testa che consenta il più ampio utilizzo della fotocamera ad un prezzo accettabilissimo e sicuramente inferiore al valore dell'oggetto

Hace unos días he pedido un trípode Manfrotto 190XProb y la rótula 322RC2 (ambos nuevos). Estoy muy contento con el servio de Amazon y su rapidez en el envío, pero al abrir la rótula, que es de Magnesio, viene con los típicos roces en la pintura de haber sido usada o haber estado en exposión en tienda. Ésto no me parece serio. De todas formas, tanto el trípode como la rótula, son de buena calidad y me han salído a buen precio y aguantan perfectamente mi equipo (Canon7D+Grip+objetivos<1kg+Flash).

中古品を買いましたが、ほぼ新品でした！ 機能については通常の雲台と比べるとかなり使いやすいです！片手で全て完結します！ 固定もかなりしっかりされますし、何一つ不満のない雲台です。 マウントの取り付け位置も3箇所あるので好きなスタイルで使えます。 右でも左でも縦でもいけます！